The Inclusivity in Social Protection Initiative
Ramallah – The Ministry of Social Development held an exceptional meeting today for the Social Protection Sector Working Group at its headquarters, attended by representatives of local and international partners and donor agencies. The meeting aimed to review the fourth initiative within the first phase of the "National Development and Reform Program."
At the start of the meeting, Dr. Samah Hamad, Minister of Social Development, welcomed the attendees and highlighted the importance of the fourth initiative, titled "Inclusivity in Social Protection." She emphasized that it is a key part of the government's efforts to promote sustainable development and reduce poverty and unemployment rates in Palestinian society.
The Minister added that the primary goal of the initiative is to establish a comprehensive and equitable social protection system, ensuring that all groups have access to the necessary support. She explained that the initiative is structured around four main components designed to achieve this goal, focusing on digital transformation and collaboration between the Ministry of Social Development and other ministries, such as Communications, Health, and Education. She noted that significant progress has been made in these areas while acknowledging the extensive work still needed to achieve the desired inclusivity.
Regarding economic empowerment, Dr. Hamad affirmed that the "Cash Transfer Program" serves as a vital tool within this initiative, aiming to link social protection issues with economic development plans, particularly in rebuilding the Gaza Strip. She stated that the government is working to provide emergency cash assistance to all residents in Gaza, whether during or after periods of conflict, contributing to sustainable income for affected families. She further noted that the ministry collaborates closely with 42 local institutions to deliver the required social services.
During the meeting, the initiative's primary goals were reviewed, including proposed action plans and budgets. Strategies to enhance inclusivity and independence in social protection programs were discussed, alongside key elements such as the National Social Registry launched by the ministry last November and efforts to strengthen partnerships within the social protection network to ensure sustainable financial empowerment for all citizens.
Updates on the National Registration System were also presented. It was revealed that 140,000 families in the West Bank and 86,000 families in Gaza have been registered. The ministry noted that data for 55,000 families in the West Bank has been updated, and a dedicated platform was launched to collect information on Palestinians stranded in Egypt. Approximately 9,000 individuals, including 800 families, have completed the registration process.
The meeting concluded with presentations from partners. Ms. Jane Guo, UNICEF Special Representative, and Ms. Serpa Tolle, Deputy Group Chair and Head of Economic and Social Support at the EU Representative Office, shared their perspectives on the importance of effective collaboration among all parties to achieve shared goals. They reaffirmed their full commitment to ongoing cooperation to deliver tangible outcomes that enhance social protection and improve citizens' quality of life.
Latest News
On the International Day for the Elimination of Child Marriage, MoSD Affirms: Protecting Girls Begins with Education, Protection, & Family Empowerment
Ramallah – On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage, the Ministry of Social Development emphasized that child marriage cannot be addressed in isolation from the broader social protection system, as it is linked to multiple factors, including poverty, school dropout, domestic violence, loss of parental care, displacement, and weakened protection networks. The Ministry explained that its role includes protecting children and girls at risk, providing case management, family interventions, psychosocial support, and referral services, and connecting families with assistance, essential services, and economic empowerment programmes. It also coordinates with relevant authorities when the safety of a child or girl is at risk. The Ministry places the best interests of the child and protection from exploitation and abuse at the heart of its child protection services. The Ministry stressed that preventing early marriage also requires protecting families from poverty and economic shocks, supporting girls' continued access to education, raising awareness of their rights, and strengthening families' ability to cope with pressures without resorting to practices that may expose girls to long-term physical, psychological, and social risks. The issue is particularly concerning in the Gaza Strip, where the Ministry warned that the loss of parental care, displacement, extreme poverty, and the declining capacity of extended families to provide care and protection increase children's vulnerability to various forms of exploitation, including early marriage. In this context, the Ministry continues to work with local and international organizations involved in child and women's protection to strengthen early intervention, referral pathways, alternative care, and psychosocial support, alongside assistance to the most vulnerable families to reduce the risk factors that may contribute to early marriage. The Ministry called for child marriage to be addressed as a child protection and human rights issue requiring coordinated action among families and social, educational, health, and legal institutions. It also called for increased investment in girls' education, protection, and empowerment to safeguard their right to grow, learn, and make decisions about their future freely and safely.
On World Children's Day, MoSD: Palestinian Children Face Harsh Realities of Loss, Displacement, Violence, & Deprivation
Ramallah – On the occasion of World Children's Day, observed annually on 20 November, the Ministry of Social Development emphasized that Palestinian children are facing extremely harsh conditions amid the continuing consequences of the Israeli military offensive on the Gaza Strip and escalating attacks, displacement, home demolitions, and movement restrictions in the West Bank, including Jerusalem. These conditions have deprived children of their lives, families, shelter, education, care, and safety. According to available United Nations data, at least 21,700 children have been killed in the Gaza Strip, while approximately 45,000 have been injured, including more than 11,000 children who have sustained life-altering injuries. Meanwhile, thousands of families continue to experience repeated displacement and deprivation of essential services. In the West Bank, including Jerusalem, children continue to face attacks, forced displacement of families, and damage to schools, homes, and infrastructure. More than 1,700 children have been displaced since the beginning of 2026 as a result of settler violence, movement restrictions, and demolitions. The Ministry stressed that the consequences of war and occupation extend beyond immediate casualties to include bereavement, family separation, hunger, school dropout, child labour, violence, exploitation, acquired disabilities, and psychological and social distress. These risks require a comprehensive and long-term child protection response. The Ministry explained that child protection is a central pillar of its work, implemented through Child Protection Departments in its directorates. These departments receive reports, assess levels of risk, provide case management and family follow-up, facilitate referrals to specialized services, and intervene in cases of violence, abuse, exploitation, and neglect. Their responsibilities also include protecting children engaged in labour or begging, children who have dropped out of school, and children in conflict with the law, in coordination with relevant government authorities and partner organizations. In the Gaza Strip, children's protection and care needs have intensified significantly, particularly among orphans, children deprived of parental care, separated and unaccompanied children, and those requiring psychosocial support. In cooperation with its partners, the Ministry is working to provide alternative care, social follow-up, sponsorship programmes, psychological support, and food, health, and in-kind assistance, while strengthening and restoring child protection services across the Gaza Strip. The Ministry emphasized that protecting children is inseparable from protecting their families. Accordingly, child protection services form part of a broader social protection system encompassing food, cash, and non-food assistance, health insurance, education, school bags and stationery, psychosocial support, services for persons with disabilities, and family economic empowerment. These interventions aim to reduce the risks associated with poverty, displacement, loss of income, and family instability. The Ministry of Social Development called on the international community, United Nations agencies, humanitarian organizations, and donors to provide sustainable support for the Palestinian child protection system. It urged continued funding for alternative care programmes, orphan sponsorship, psychosocial support, education, nutrition, and rehabilitation, alongside support for Palestinian national institutions capable of reaching children and families and ensuring sustained follow-up. The Ministry concluded by emphasizing that World Children's Day cannot be merely an occasion for celebration while Palestinian children are deprived of their most fundamental rights. It stressed that protecting children begins with safeguarding their right to life and extends to ensuring their rights to family care, shelter, food, education, healthcare, protection, and social support.
